Essential Info
EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW
So you have found the perfect campsite’s using our campsite finder but now you need to know how to get there and what you can do along the way. To help complete your camping trip planning we have put together some essential information with links for transport, hill walking, wild swimming and wild camping.
BOATS
Scotland has over 900 offshore islands and although we don’t have a ferry service to them all you will find regular connections between the mainland and some of the more populated islands. You can take your car and campervan to most islands however be aware that some routes are pedestrian crossings only.
- Cal Mac Ferry Services = Hebridies & West Coast Islands
- Westeren Isles Cruses = Knoydart Ferry
- North Link Ferry = Orkney & Shetland Ferry
- Pentland Ferry = Orkney Island
- Orkney Ferrry = Orkney inner island’s ferry
- Foula Ferry = Shetland inner island ferry
TRAINS
Scotland has a well connected train network that runs from the Scottish Borders all the way to Thurso right at the top of the Scottish Highlands. Scot Rail are the current operators of the rail network where tickets can be purchased online or at the many self-service ticket machines located within most train stations.
PLANES
When you think about air travel in Scotland you might just think about the international airports of Glasgow, Edinburgh or Aberdeen but Scotland also hosts a fantastic inner-connection air service to some of the most remote edges of the country. From landing on the beach runway of Barra (the only commercial beach runway in the world) to the inter-island flights between the Orkney Islands, air travel offers many options.
Flights within Scotland are operated by Logan Air where bookings can be made on Logan Air’s website.
Airports in Scotland
- Kirkwall – Orkney
- Sumburgh – Shetland
- Stornoway – Outer Hebrides
- Benbecula – Outer Hebrides
- Barra – Outer Hebrides
- Tiree – Inner Hebrides
- Islay – Inner Hebrides
- Cambeltown – Argyle & Bute
Orkney Inner Islands
Flight operated by LoganAir between Kirkwall and the following islands. See LoganAir website for further details on flights. Fun facts, the flight between Westray and Papa Westray is the shortest commercial flight in the world, lasting just 90 seconds.
- Stronsay Island
- Eday Island
- Sanday Island
- Westray Island
- Papa Westray Island
- North Ronaldsay Island
Shetland Inner Islands
Inner island flights within the Shetlands are operated by AirTask between the main island and the following smaller islands. Their schedule and details of how to book can be found on AirTasks websites here.
- Fair Isle
- Foula
- Outer Skerries
- Papa Stour
WILD SWIMMING
Scotland is awash with lochs, rock pools, waterfalls and coastal beaches that are all suitable for wild swimming however wild swimming should only be undertaken by strong swimmers with suitable float aid, in areas that are known to be safe. For more information head over to Visit Scotland’s wild swimming info page or for a more in depth guide we recommend you buy The Art of Wild Swimming: Scotland which is available on Amazon and details all of Scotlands best wild swimming spots.
WILD CAMPING
As part of Scotland’s access legislation, the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003, you are allowed to camp on most unenclosed land.
However, due to overuse, areas of Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park is subject to wild camping byelaws. This means that camping is only permitted within campsites or with a camping permit.
See some of the main rules below for wild camping, for further details you can click here for visit Scotland.
- Don’t litter! Take away all your rubbish and dispose of it properly. Ideally in a place with good bin infrastructure, not at some remote bin at the end of a glen.
- Short Stays only where a maximum of 3 nights in one place is permitted.
- Leave no trace and remove all signs of the impact of your tent and yourself
- Don’t cause pollution or harm to the environment. If your park your campervan or motorhome in a remote location, don’t drain your chemical toilet tank in nature. If you are in a place where making fires is allowed, don’t cut down trees or fences for firewood and ensure all traces of the fire are removed.
- Pick up after yourself – this includes human waste. Burry it or take it away with you to dispose of. Don’t leave behind toilet paper and wet wipes.
- Be respectful of the environment as well as other people around you.
your right to access land does not extend to vehicle.
MUNRO & HILL CLIMBING
Scotland is scattered with stunning mountains and valleys to climb, in-fact with over 282 Munros (thats a hill over 3000feet) and 221 Corbetts (between 2500 and 3000 feet) you might not know where to start. We highly recommend you visit Walk Highland which is a treasure trove of information in relation to not only the mountains but also coastal, town and forest walks. With downloadable way points for thousands of walks its sure to keep you on the right track.
Walk Highland = The only source you need for walking in Scotland, don’t worry it covers the whole of Scotland not just the highlands.
FOLLOW A ROUTE
Scotland is full of walking, cycling and driving routes. Why not take on the challenge of the West Highland Way or try and complete the NC500 on your next camping adventure. Check out the links below to the official websites of each route where you can find out more information. Use our campsite finder and select a route to find campsites on each one.
- Speyside Way (Whisky trail following the river Spey from the coast to it’s source)
- West Highland Way (Glasgow to For William via Loch Lomond & Glencoe)
- Hebridean Way (Outer Hebrides)
- North Coast 500 (Highlands)
- North East 250 (Aberdeenshire & Moray Coast)
- St Magnus Way (Orkney)
